NOTICED

NOTICED; Barefoot Road To Glory

By JOE BRESCIA

Published: January 25, 1998

MAKE no mistake: rock and country singers have known how to kick up their heels for years. But these days, more of them are doing it in a decidedly free-spirited way -- barefoot.

The art of serenading an audience while shoeless is enjoying a renaissance more than 20 years after Linda Ronstadt and Patti LaBelle sang with their toesies out. The trend is evident largely among female singers: the alternative-rock star Bjork, the country singer Deana Carter, the rhythm-and-blues singer Erykah Badu, the pop star Jewel, the Cape Verdean morna singer Cesaria Evora and Gwen Stefani, the lead vocalist of the rock group No Doubt.

Call it far-fetched, but going shoeless seems to be a key to success. Each of the above barefoot singers has been nominated for a Grammy Award this year, while the fab five known as the Spice Girls were frozen out, left bopping on stage in their clunky platforms. Lest anyone dismiss the link between bare feet and musical success, some experts who study feet insist a connection exists.

Roberta Kirschenbaum, a licensed reflexologist who practices in Manhattan and has singers and musicians for clients, believes that barefoot performers are better able to channel their vocal energy.

''In reflexology, the ball of the foot governs the chest, lung and heart,'' said Ms. Kirschenbaum, who stimulates points in the feet to relieve stress and increase the energy flow. ''The throat, head and spiritual centers, important for singing and vocalizing, are located in the toes.'' By not confining their feet and toes, she said, singers ''can free up and channel their energies better.''

Well, maybe. Bjork enjoys performing barefoot -- and sometimes with one shoe on and one shoe off -- for reasons that are more metaphysical than physical. Why does she remove her shoes to sing? ''So there is shorter distance to the ground,'' she answered through her manager. ''Then I can reach higher notes.''

It must be working. Her album ''Homogenic'' has been nominated for a Grammy for best alternative-music performance.

Singing shoeless is also appreciated by Ms. Badu, whose ''Live'' album is near the top of Billboard's rhythm-and-blues charts and who is nominated in four Grammy categories. She takes off her shoes at times to help induce a tranquil atmosphere on stage, a spokeswoman said.

''During performances, Erykah lights incense and candles to create her own calm,'' said Wendy Washington, Ms. Badu's spokeswoman at Universal Records. ''It's all about intimacy and relaxation while performing.''

In the 1970's, Ms. Ronstadt would appear barefoot during performances of ''Long, Long Time'' and ''You're No Good,'' and Ms. LaBelle would kick off her shoes for hits like ''Lady Marmalade.'' (She doffed them again this month during a concert in Manhattan.) Singing for two or three hours, Ms. Ronstadt and Ms. LaBelle felt freer and more comfortable without shoes, representatives for both singers said the other day.

Today, everyone from Natalie Merchant to Cyndi Lauper and Ms. Stefani of No Doubt are following suit, on stage and in videos. On MTV and VH1, Ms. Stefani is the barefoot star of her group's ''Don't Speak'' video. The ballad has received a Grammy nomination as the song of the year.

A few brave male singers, though no doubt concerned about losing their macho images, have joined the ranks of the shoeless and shucked their Doc Martens. Ad Augeri, a rock and folk singer, has performed barefoot at the Bitter End and Wetlands in Manhattan. By day, he works as a licensed massage therapist, soothing the tension in the feet of bustling New Yorkers. He said he felt more relaxed performing barefoot. ''But more importantly, I feel more connected to the earth, so that means I'm more connected to the audience,'' he added.

He admires both the fretwork and the footwork of Jonny Lang, 17, a guitarist and singer who performs barefoot in concert and in ''Lie to Me,'' his video.